IND vs USA: Will Sanju Samson replace Shivam Dube in T20 World Cup 2024 match against United States?

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IND vs USA: Shivam Dube was hitting fours and sixes for fun before he was picked in the India squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. His red hot form forced the selectors to overlook someone like Rinku Singh. However, the situation has changed drastically a month later.

Shivam Dube has registered two ducks, and two single digits scores in his eight outings after the squad announcement on April 30. The hard-hitting all-rounder has managed to cross the 20-run mark only once and his top-score during the period is an unbeaten 21.

In India's only T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up match, Shivam Dube was sent ahead of Hardik Pandya but he was dismissed for 14 off 16. He went back to pavilion unbeaten on zero off two as India defeated Ireland by eight wickets in their T20 World Cup 2024 opener on June 5.

But 30-year-old Shivam Dube flaked biggest criticisms after his failure against Pakistan - India's second Group A match at the ICC event on Sunday. India were already four down for 89 in 11.2 overs when Dube got out for three of nine balls. The manner of his dismissal was also timid as pacer Naseem Shah took a return catch in his own follow through.

Dube's poor run which has stretched over a month now drew a lot of flak. Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu went on record to say that Sanju Samson should play ahead of Dube.

IND vs USA: Will Sanju Samson replace Shivam Dube in India playing 11?

However, the chances of Indian team management benching Shivam Dube in India's third match of the T20 World Cup 2024 against the USA on Sunday are slim. But another failure with the bat will have the potential to dent Shivam Dube's chances further in the tournament.

India are almost certain of featuring the Super 8 round of the T20 World Cup 2024 which will begin from June 19. India will play their fourth and last league match against Canada on June 15. The competition between the eight best teams would definitely intensify and an in-form batter would be needed.

With Hardik Pandya bowling his full quota of four overs, India did not bowl Shivam Dube in the hard-fought match against Pakistan. West Indies would host the Super 8 matches, and spinners are expected to play the key role there. Quite naturally, Dube's value as an all-rounder would decrease.

Apart from Rohit Sharma (13), Rishabh Pant (42) and Axar Patel (20) no other India batter crossed the 10-run mark in the match against Pakistan. The New York pitch has faced a lot of criticism and even the best batters have struggled.

Shivam Dube and the Indian team management would try to cancel out the outside noise for now but another failure could be worrisome for both the parties. Dube has been picked in the team for his ability to send the balls flying over the boundary rope, especially against spin. The conditions in the West Indies are expected to suit his style of batting.

IND vs USA: Sanju Samson pressure on Shivam Dube

But India have a solid second option in Sanju Samson, who is capable of playing at any position. He is equally good against spin and pace, and has a superior batting skill when compared to Shivam Dube. He recently finished as the fifth-highest run-scorer in IPL 2024, but like Dube, failed in the warmup game against Bangladesh. He could score just one run off six balls.

Verdict: Shivam Dube despite being under pressure, is very likely to retain his place in the India playing 11 against USA at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. The likes of Virat Kohli and Suraykumar Yadav have also failed in both the matches, and it's important to avoid any quick chopping and changing in an event as big as the T20 World Cup.